In the arid deserts of Nevada, USA there stands a monumental sculpture that is now open to the general public. The City is more than a mile long, making it the largest artwork in the world. This sculpture is unlike modern metropolises but rather is a homage to prehistoric ones built with gigantic abstract forms composed of minerals and materials that are local to the desert.
But, getting to the biggest artwork of all time is not an easy journey. Anyone looking to visit this sprawling work of art must email the Triple Aught Foundation, the group that manages the entire site. After reserving your spot, more details would be announced as the dates for visitation comes closer; 2nd September to 1st November.
Michael Heizer has been working on a grand scale for his entire career. He was behind some of the essential pieces of the Land art movement of the 70s which oftentimes is known as earthworks. The movement grew out of combining the conceptual and minimalist art movements to completely marry art and nature. Though Heizer’s artworks appear in museums and galleries, he remains well-known for his permanent interventions in the American landscape.
The City elicits this mystery in its viewers, making them wonder how did all this sand and other materials end up here in the first place. The idea of the City is to be a common ground between ancient monuments, minimalism, and industrial technology.
For the project to see completion, a total of 40 billion USD was raised by numerous stakeholders. Dia Art Foundation, Lannan Foundation, and Triple Aught Foundation are the primary trio of groups to have funded this project. In terms of conceding the sculpture, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Glenstone Museum have been charged with continuing to ensure that City is conserved in the years to come.
Lastly, Heizer’s perspective of the City. He wants City to stand the test of time immemorial. This is an interesting point of view by the artist, that only time can tell.